Mark Dever has written an interesting post on the place of silence in corporate worship. Very interesting. Here is an excerpt:

Certainly as Christians we have much to rejoice over—loudly and joyfully and expectantly! But is no part of our regular assemblies to reflect the weightiness of our sinful selves before a holy God, the silence of conviction, even of sorrow? Furthermore, is no part of our regular assemblies to reflect the stunning weightiness of our forgiveness in Christ, the silence of marvel, and even the humility of some incomprehension?